PREP LACROSSE: Sandpoint girls take down Gonzaga Prep in season-opener
The Sandpoint girls varsity lacrosse team celebrates after defeating Gonzaga Prep 9-7 on Thursday. Back row, from left, Rianna Atencio, Grace Gavin, Cassidy Aitken, Terra Bode, Kayla Beers, Leah Clark, Eva Sloan, Maddie Mitchell, Rowan Davis, and Medea Moon. Front row, from left, Reina Montecchi, Josie Cox, Tess Sloan, Marin Browne, and Abigail Baker.
(Courtesy Photo)
SPOKANE — Sandpoint’s Rowan Davis had a team-high four goals as the Bulldogs defeated rival Gonzaga Prep 9-7 at Bullpup Stadium on Thursday night.
Sandpoint amassed a three goal lead at one point, but the Bullpups rallied back to tie the game two different times. Head coach Nancy Dooley said the girls battled until the very end to get the win.
“It was pretty cool that this gutsy, underclassmen team was able to beat Gonzaga Prep, who was 3-0 before Thursday. We lost to them in two close games last year, so it feels good,” Dooley said.
In addition to Davis’ stellar performance, Cassidy Aitken had two goals for the Bulldogs. Marin Browne, Terra Bode, and Tess Sloan all had one each; Sloan’s came after a scrum near the net where she scored a switch-handed goal with her left.
Davis and Bode did well controlling draws, combining for eight of Sandpoint’s 10 on the night. Grace Gavin and Sloan, who usually play midfield, did an excellent job on defense in the win.
“Grace and Tess did a good job covering some really tough defenders,” Dooley said. “We were double-teaming one of Gonzaga Prep’s best attackers and the girls did really well with that, especially in the last two quarters.”
Dooley said Maddie Mitchell and Abigail Baker were also impressive on the defensive end. It was the first time all four defenders worked together and Dooley said the girls figured it out and got better and better as the game went on. Eva Sloan was also impressive in the net, tallying eight saves.
“Eva did a great job defending some really big, talented, Gonzaga Prep attackers and her clears were spot on to our midfield,” Dooley said. “She is leading our new defense and really helped everyone get into the right places.”
Sandpoint hosts Kamiakin on Saturday.
Sandpoint 1 3 2 3 – 9
Gonzaga Prep 1 1 3 2 – 7
GOALS: SPT – Davis 4, Aitken 2, Browne 1, Bode 1, Sloan 1. GP – Cracker 3, Fernandes 2, O’Hara 1, Spakousky 1.
ASSISTS: SPT – Beers 2, Montecchi 1. GP – None.
GROUNDBALLS: SPT – Sloan 3, Browne 3, Mitchell 3, Beers 2, Gavin 2, Bode 1, Baker 1. GP – Cracker 5, Spakousky 2, Fernandes 1, Finley 1.
SAVES: SPT – Sloan 8. GP – Unknown 16.